Even though cellulite is widespread, people often cringe at the thought or sight of it. Not everyone has cellulite but most women end up with it. We'll look at the causes, risks and management of cellulite in this blog post. I've done some scientific reading on the subject (scientific research papers) and note my findings in the section below!

What is cellulite?Gynoid lipodystrophy, or cellulite, is the dimple-like appearance of the skin surface. It is when the skin texture is no longer smooth but rather uneven and irregular.

Cellulite is defined as “persistent subcutaneous fat causing dimpling of the skin.” This is basically fat deposit beneath the skin.

It is sometimes referred to as “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” as a way to describe the appearance of the skin texture or surface.

Where can cellulite pop up on your body?Cellulite can pop up just about anywhere! It predominantly shows up on the buttocks, back of the thighs and hips but it can also be visible on the stomach, arms and back. Some less frequently targeted areas include the front of the thighs, knees, calves and inner thighs.

There are also variances in terms of severity, in other words there is changes in just how visible it is, ranging from barely noticeable to highly visible. It has irregular and non-constant swings in terms of severity.

What causes cellulite?Cellulite is a multifactorial condition, meaning that more than one thing causes it. The exact cause of it is not yet known but it appears to result from an interaction between the connective tissue in the dermatological layer that lies below the surface of the skin, and the layer of fat that is just below it. If the fat cells protrude into the layer of skin, this gives the appearance of cellulite.

A few of the factors that is thought to have an effect on the likelihood of developing cellulite:*Genetic factors like metabolism, ethnicity and family history of cellulite*Hormones like estrogen, insulin and thyroid hormones *Blood flow and low circulation*Skin elasticity*Unhealthy lifestyles: obesity, smokers, inactive people

Who has cellulite?Cellulite affects women from all races and 85-89% of post-pubertal females will have cellulite. Men can have cellulite too but it predominantly occurs in females.

There are no specific differences in age groups or weight groups. Meaning younger women as well as the elderly are subject to cellulite, as well as someone who is overweight or even at a normal weight. I can confess to this as I have had cellulite when I was lean and underweight as well as when I was overweight. I had cellulite as a kid and I still have it now as an adult.

Race, age, weight or activity level does not guarantee whether or not you will have (or get) cellulite.

Can you cure cellulite?There is no clear evidence regarding the treatment of cellulite. Prior studies on treatments for cellulite weren’t efficient in proving that certain methods of treatment are effective for reducing cellulite. There is currently no long term and effective “self-help” or “over the counter” treatment for cellulite.

A few of the studies on cellulite treatment include: topical therapy, mesotherapy, lymphatic or vacuum-assisted massage, acoustic wave therapy, light therapy, external non-invasive lasers, and radiofrequency. These different methods have not always been effective in reducing cellulite. To date, there is no single exclusive, effective treatment for the different types of cellulite.

Several non-invasive or minimally invasive methods, repeated in cycles, appear to be the best option when it comes to reducing the appearance of cellulite. A 2018 study found that manual subcision in the treatment of dimpling appears to be effective. Subcision is a minor surgery procedure that eliminates traction of the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of dimples (and wrinkles or scars) on the skin surface.

Weight loss and exercise can also improve the appearance of cellulite to an extent. If you are overweight or obese with visible cellulite around whichever part of your body, losing excess body fat by exercising and overall weight loss (fat loss) can change the appearance of your affected areas, meaning exercise and weight loss can help make your cellulite less visible. It might not reduce the amount of cellulite majorly but some people may see a change in the visibility or amount of cellulite.

“New year, new me” doesn’t quite capture how I’m feeling as of late. It’s more like “new year, deteriorated me.” I’m in a slump! But, I’m finally dragging out the last bit of courage left in me to climb over this little Mount Everest I’ve build up for myself, and make this year suck a little less…

Do NOT eat pasta, it makes you fat!Do NOT eat fruit, it makes you fat!Do NOT eat avocado, it makes you fat!Do NOT eat bread, it makes you fat!Do NOT eat full fat dairy, it makes you fat!Do NOT eat potatoes, it makes you fat!

Sometimes our healthy eating habits can turn around and bite us in the ass! More often than not, does our healthy eating lead to eating disorders or similar behaviours of it. Make sure your healthy eating is still considered healthy!

Not all qualified trainers are good and not all unqualified trainers are bad. It gets bad when either unqualified or qualified trainers put the health of their clients at risk by not doing their research! It gets even worse when 'trainers' ask absurd amounts of money to get you in shape... on a cookie-cutter plan you share with every other client!

We all know that one guy or girl that everyone goes to for gym advice, diet advice and supplement advice… Chances are they’re hypnotizing you with their preconceived ancient bullshit! Before I debunk some myths I’ll share a true life story- a thriller slash horror slash action (cause you make me wanna punch you in the face) story.

My fitness journey has taught me quite some things about being and eating healthy. Today I will share the good things I have learned, the bad things I’ve experienced and the ugly side I was exposed to.

So, 2015 is just around the corner... Time to dig up the New Year's Resolution you've written out for 2014, or was it 2013, well.. It actually dates back to 2011! It's not easy to achieve a New Year's Resolution, especially when your list is as long as the grocery shopping list for the upcoming family reunion at Christmas!

Today, I was just browsing around in the local grocery store, in gym gear of course, minding my own business, walking at a fairly brisk pace.. Scanning the breakfast shelves for my beloved Oats, until I tripped and fell... hard ... in love... with this beauty of a breakfast ->

According to the Google dictionary, "Fuck-Up" is classified as vulgar slang. So I decided to be a tad more sophisticated and use "fiasco" instead. But in reality, it is more of a fitness fuck-up than a fitness fiasco that led me to do what I always dreaded in school... Write!

I accept that it's quite obvious that I'm no writer, but I'm not here for a grade, nor approval, or even a following. I'm here for myself. To hold myself accountable. To express my feelings- sadly, but usefully, over a personal blog, since people around me are either deaf, blind or they just don't care. No apologies for bad grammar and (lack of) vocabulary... so be it!This is my outlet, my personal diary, a place to publicly share my fitness experiences with eating disorders and other disordered behaviours for the first time. It's not about gaining a following, making a name for myself or regaining the status of having (and showing off) my awesome abs. I could not care less if nobody visits this website, actually, I prefer it being a private matter. But why keep everything to myself if I can be of help to someone out there. Travelling this journey on my own, without the help, support or even awareness of others, made me want to be of support to anyone that can relate. And if I can virtually find some support myself... bonus! The amount of failures, set-backs, eating disorders, body dysmorphia and some other disorders are grossly underestimated, yet much higher, within the fitness industry, whether pro or amateur. I am here to open up and share my experience.Since bullet-points make life easier:

I need an outlet to express my thoughts, feelings, emotions and the like, while I travel this journey to the road of success again.

I needed (but never got) support while achieving my fitness goals: weight loss, muscle building and shredding. So this time round I need support to go through that cycle again.

Having suffered from Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge eating and overcoming the first two on my own, made me want to reach out to others facing similar struggles without support.

Debunking common "Guru" myths regarding fitness and nutrition is definitely on the list of why I started to blog.